VENICE, Italy — The Gallagher brothers brought some much-needed rock star energy to the Venice Film Festival on Saturday, where their documentary, Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger, premiered globally. True to their rock star personas, the brothers made a brief appearance at the Lido docks for photographers before opting to skip the scheduled news conference altogether.
The documentary serves as both a concert film and an examination of the tumultuous relationship between Noel and Liam Gallagher. Their fractious dynamic ultimately led to the disbandment of Oasis in 2009 after a dramatic backstage altercation right before they were set to perform in Paris. Noel, reflecting on his brother, had once infamously declared that Liam was “the angriest man you’ll ever meet,” likening him to “a man with a fork in a world of soup.” Meanwhile, Liam, in a 2018 interview, accused Noel of sabotaging him and the band, stating, “He split the band up and it meant the world to me. Just to further his career.”
Oasis was formed in working-class Manchester, England, in 1991 and rapidly rose to become one of the most iconic British bands of the 1990s. Their debut album, Definitely Maybe, released in 1994, shot to No. 1, followed by the groundbreaking album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? in 1995, which went on to become one of the U.K.'s bestselling albums of all time.
The film offers insights into the explosive success of Oasis and the personalities behind chart-topping hits. Most of the band's music was crafted by the elder Gallagher, Noel, with timeless tracks like “Wonderwall” and “Live Forever.” The documentary features never-before-seen rehearsals, depicting moments of tension, particularly when Liam enters. It also includes the brothers’ first joint interview in 25 years, capturing a candid look at their relationship.
In 2025, the duo ended a 16-year hiatus by launching a reunion tour that premiered in Cardiff, Wales, to a raucous crowd exceeding 60,000 fans. Anticipation was high, with many concerned the concert might be called off, akin to their infamous Paris incident. However, the show proceeded with former Oasis musicians, including Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs and Gem Archer, joining Liam and Noel onstage.
The Associated Press noted that classic hits like “Supersonic” and “Roll With It” reverberated through the air, inspiring widespread sing-alongs among the audience.
Filmmaker Steven Knight, who collaborated with Noel on the screenplay, wanted to delve into why the music of Oasis continues to captivate fans, both those who lived through the 90s and the newer generations eager for reunion tour tickets. Directors Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace conducted interviews with the brothers separately before the rehearsals began, and together during the tour to authentically portray their evolving relationship.
The filmmakers shared that their aim was to ensure their cameras remained as unobtrusive as possible during rehearsals, while also capturing the concert atmosphere to make viewers feel as if they were part of the live experience. The film also highlights dedicated fans from around the world, with Southern mentioning quirky interactions, such as meeting someone with a dog named Bonehead, contributing to the film’s narrative.
Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger is set for theatrical release shortly after the festival, with Disney planning an IMAX release on September 11, 2025, and an anticipated arrival on the Disney+ streaming service later this year.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Venice Film Festival, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/venice-film-festival.
